This book is unique, because no other psychiatric/mental health nursing text has ever brought together 'opposing' or contrasting views of the same issue, and subsequently invited two seperate chapters to be written in order to articulate the different perspectives in the debate. Further, no book has then followed up such a wide and thorough discussion by inviting a third party to offer commentary. The purpose of this book is to present a range of key issues that psychiatric/mental health nurses face. They are practice, policy, research and education related issues. The purpose then is to present the most complete, balanced arguments possible in order to inform, educate, and stimulate psychiatric/mental health nurses. Furthermore the purpose of the book is to make psychiatric/mental health nurses more aware of the, often, uncertain nature of much of psychiatric/mental health nursing practice and knowledge. Psychiatric/mental health nursing is not characterised by 'black and white', easily delineated issues, and is perhaps characterised by various 'shades of grey'. Indeed, it is often stated as axiomatic that psychiatric/mental health nurses can be described as a 'broad church'. Consequently, the purpose of this book is to help psychiatric/mental health nurses appreciate this broad church, be able to understand the various 'shades of grey', be able to understand that, often, there are differing views, inconclusive arguments and contentious debates and for this to influence their clinical practice. As the international range of contributors illustrates, these debates (to a greater or lesser extent) are issues and debates that psychiatric/mental health nurses face the world over; these are matters of real international importance and significance. These issues have been touched upon, and to a limited extent, debated at psychiatric/mental health nursing conferences and, to an even lesser extent, within some psychiatric/mental health nursing journals. Thus, they are real issues that many nurses are facing, talking about and trying to resolve.key debates are presented with arguments from opposing viewpoints, followed by a third-party commentary, to give readers the necessary information to form their own view written by a range of international authors from different countries across three continents one of the first psychiatric/mental health nursing books to explore the pedagogical value of debate

Completely updated to describe the housing benefit and council tax benefit schemes from April 2010, including the up-rating, this work covers legislation for the entire UK.

In times of rapid change experience is no longer a sufficient guide to practice. Taking the principles of evidence-based medicine this is the first guide to evidence-based management. It will help managers and clinicians to make a difference to their organisation. Illustrated with case studies designed for 'the reader in a hurry' the clear layout of this practical guide is based on a questioning approach of Why? When? Where? How? and Who? which demonstrates how to apply the best evidence in decision making and in assessing performance. Obstacles to practising evidence-based management in healthcare are described with explanations of how to overcome them. Health managers and clinicians with managerial responsibilities will find this book an essential guide. Leaders in health service organisations public health doctors and public sector managers will find it of great benefit in their work.